How to Make the Best Baked Ziti Ever!

Baked ziti seems like such a 90’s classic Italian American recipe to me. It had its moment to shine, but let me tell you that this dish needs to make a comeback ASAP. Baked ziti is the less complicated cousin of lasagna and dare I say that it is better, easier to make, and so delicious that this might end up on your dinner table on a weekly basis.

And it really is fuss free. I made this version with sausage, but you could leave it out for a vegetarian friendly dish. And you can keep this super simple with just a few ingredients, cooked pasta, sauce, mozzarella, ricotta cheese, basil, and done!

Serves 6

Suggested Wine Pairing:

I really like this with a red wine like a sangiovese.

Ingredients:

18 ounces of Ziti

1 jar or 2 cups of marinara or homemade sauce

2 cups shredded mozzarella

4 ounces of ricotta cheese

1 lb of sausage links of your choice. I like spicy turkey sausage, but sweet or spicy italian sausage would work great too. Or omit altogether for a vegetarian friendly meal.

1/4 cup of basil leaves, chiffonade

1/4 cup of grated parmesan to top

Baked Ziti Instructions:

1. Begin by preparing the sausage. Cut the sausage into rounds. Saute in large frying pan for 3-5 minutes per side until they are just browned. Reduce the heat to low and stir in 1 & 3/4 cups of sauce and simmer.
2. Next cook your ziti to just aldente, about 9-10 minutes. Drain.
3. While the pasta is cooking, preheat your oven to 400F. In a large baking dish, add the remaining 1/4 cup of sauce to the bottom of the baking sheet.
4. When the pasta is done cooking, add it to the baking pan and stir in the rest of the sauce. Top the mixture with mozzarella cheese and distribute the ricotta cheese on top using a tablespoon. Finally top with the basil, cover with aluminum foil, and bake for about 30 minutes.
5. Remove the aluminum foil and broil so the cheese browns for about 15 minutes. Serve with additional sauce and parmesan cheese.